New Gene Test to Help Avoid Chemotherapy When Battling Breast Cancer

By The Doctors Staff on 7:01 AM PDT, October 7, 2016

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PlayingNew Gene Test for Breast Cancer

Samantha survived breast cancer and a double mastectomy, but was faced with the difficult decision about follow-up chemotherapy. A new genetic test helped her make that very difficult decision and she joins The Doctors to share her story.

Samantha went in for a mammogram, but then received a call from her doctor saying they wanted to take another look. Initially, this did not worry her as it had happened before due to her dense breasts. Unfortunately, 2 masses were discovered.

“This is the day my life changed,” she shares. “I didn’t know how bad it was. I didn’t know if it was raging through my body, pumping through my blood into my brain. My worst fear was that my boys would not have a mom… You have two choices, you can fall apart or you can kick into gear.”

Samantha consulted with frequent The Doctors guest, surgical breast specialist Dr. Kristi Funk, and it was decided that a double mastectomy was the right choice for her. Luckily, her surgery went well, but she was then forced to decide about getting chemotherapy, after her sentinel lymph node tested positive for cancer. Her doctors were unsure if the chemo would properly treat her. She was told she was in a “grey area” about whether or not she needed it.

After an agonizing decision process, Samantha, her family and their team of doctors decided against chemotherapy and radiation. Samantha underwent a 70-gene signature test, called the MammaPrint, which helps determine if follow-up chemo will benefit you or not. A study regarding MammaPrint found that approximately 46% of women with breast cancer who are at high clinical risk might not require chemotherapy.